Critical Care Newsline — May 26, 2011

Critical Care Newsline, the electronic newsletter from the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses, contains information selected just for you by our clinical practice experts. In each issue, you’ll find links to resources, research abstracts (individual sites may require registration and a fee to access complete articles) and websites that will keep you informed on issues affecting nurses and the nursing profession.

1. NEWS AACN sends message to those in Joplin, Mo.The AACN professional community offers its heartfelt thoughts and prayers to our exceptional colleagues, patients, families and friends in Joplin, Mo., as they face the devastating tragedy brought on by extreme weather conditions. Especially in our thoughts are the skilled high acuity and critical care professionals at St. John's Regional Medical Center, Joplin, Mo., a community service of Mercy Health Ministry. With colleagues from Freeman West Medical Center and other facilities in Missouri and neighboring states, you are carrying out essential lifesaving and rescue work while facing grief and uncertainty in your own lives. Access information on donations, volunteering and how you can check on loved ones.

2. CALL TO ACTION AACN Board, Nominating Committee Advocates for Patients, Families
Nominations for the FY2013-15 AACN Board of Directors and FY2013 Nominating Committee draw to a close on Tuesday, May 31. Natalie Correll-Yoder, clinical nurse specialist at Queen of the Valley Medical Center, Napa, Calif., says serving as secretary to the 2010-11 AACN Board “gives me a chance to advocate on a national level for the many groups I interact with daily including nurse managers, educators, progressive and critical care staff to create a healthcare system driven by patients and families.” Read candidate requirements and download forms at www.aacn.org/nominations. Contact AACN Governance, (800) 394-5995 x331 or volunteers@aacn.org for more information.

3. NEWS Register for free nurse residency webinar on June 1
Versant Center for the Advancement of Nursing is holding the free 90-minute webinar “Institute of Medicine’s Recommendations for Nurse Residencies,” Wednesday, June 1, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. EDT. Linda Burnes Bolton, co-chair of the committee for “The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health” consensus report, and a panel of four nurses will discuss how their organizations implemented an evidence-based residency for new graduate transition. Learn more and register. Early arrival is highly recommended.

4. NEWS TJC approves reduced CAUTIs as new 2012 NPSG
On May 17, The Joint Commission, Oakbrook Terrace, Ill., announced approval of a new National Patient Safety Goal (NPSG) for 2012, which will require organizations to “implement evidence-based practices to prevent catheter-associated urinary tract infections” (CAUTIs). The new goal applies to hospitals and critical-access hospitals, but not pediatric patients. CAUTI is the most frequent type of healthcare-acquired infection (HAI).

5. CALL TO ACTION Submit NTI evaluation forms for CE, CERP credit by June 3
If you attended this year’s National Teaching Institute & Critical Care Exposition (NTI), submit evaluation forms online or by mobile phone for continuing education (CE) and CERP by Friday, June 3, 11:59 p.m. You must complete both program and session evaluations to receive credit. After June 3, you may only print your certificate.

7. RESOURCE Free online certification verification now available
Certificants, employers, verification agencies and consumers may obtain free online verification of certification for the following credentials: CCRN, PCCN, CCRN-E, CCNS, ACNPC, CMC and CSC. Verifications do not contain information that violates the confidentiality rights of certificants. If you have questions contact AACN Customer Care by email or at (800) 899-2226. Inactive, alumnus and retired status is also included.

8. CALL TO ACTION Submit speaker abstracts for NTI 2012
Be an essential part of the National Teaching Institute & Critical Care Exposition. Submit an abstract for an NTI Live Educational Session for NTI 2012 through Monday, June 6. Read the new submission guidelines.

9. CALL TO ACTION Participate in a survey about patient ventilator dyssynchrony
Are you a practicing nurse who cares for mechanically ventilated patients? Nurse researchers at the University of Pittsburgh invite you to participate in an anonymous, secure online survey about assessing and managing patients who experience mismatched patient-ventilator breaths. All nurses with varying levels of expertise in mechanical ventilation are encouraged to participate. This survey should take about 20 minutes to complete.

10. EVIDENCE DNR and full-code patients’ reasons for decision differ
Patients who request full code (FC) or do not resuscitate (DNR) make their choices based on “personal, relational or philosophical considerations” but differ on how they manifest the choices according to “Why Do Patients Agree to a “Do Not Resuscitate” or “Full Code” Order? Perspectives of Medical Inpatients.” DNR patients associate resuscitation with “suffering and futility” and DNR with “comfort or natural processes.” FC patients understand resuscitation “as something that restores life” and associate DNR orders “with substandard care or even euthanasia,” states June’s Journal of General Internal Medicine.

13. CLINICAL PRACTICE RESOURCES
Patient SafetyAccess “Partnering to Heal: Teaming Up Against Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs),” a computer-based, interactive learning tool from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Washington, D.C., that allows trainees to follow five characters and make decisions about preventing HAIs. The tool promotes teamwork, communication, hand washing, flu vaccination, appropriate use of antibiotics and proper insertion, use and removal of catheters and ventilators.

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